Midland youths to join Kick Butts Day Initiative

via Midland Daily News

Young people from groups around Midland are joining thousands of youths across the country to take part in Kick Butts Day, a nationwide initiative that helps kids become leaders in the effort to prevent youth tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. As part of the Kick Butts Day campaign, teens will collect cigarette butts from seven playgrounds in Midland to measure the amount and then prepare follow-up presentations to advocate for tobacco free zones in children’s play areas. Throughout the year, teen volunteers take part in a variety of activities to protect kids from tobacco, including having displays at Kids Day at the Mall and Midland’s Riverdays and a week-long effort at the Midland County Fair in August.

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Chippewa Nature Center hosting blowout Maple Syrup Day event Saturday

Despite a mild winter, the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland was able to drain sap from its batch of maple trees.
To celebrate the start of spring and maple syrup, the Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour, is hosting a Maple Syrup Day on Saturday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Some of the highlighted events include a boiling demonstration, tree-tapping activities, maple syrup-themed music and a pancake meal. Arts and crafts, demonstrations and other activities are also set for Saturday.
Admission is free for members and $4 for nonmembers that are 18 or older. Nonmembers under the age of 18 also will be admitted for free.
The pancake meal is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is $7 for nonmembers 13 or older.

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Home News MDOT: Roundabout to have positive impact on safety

via Midland Daily News

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is proposing a $1.3 million roundabout project in Midland County that officials say will have a long-term positive impact on safety in the area.
The project is located in the city of Midland just east of Washington Street along M-20/U.S.-10 Business Route (BR) at the Patrick Road crossover. The roundabout is scheduled for construction in 2014 and will take approximately three to four months to build.
Construction of the roundabout is expected to provide better traffic flow through the crossover to Saginaw Road from eastbound and westbound US-10 BR. It also will accommodate increased traffic due to a projected growth in local industries over the next 20 years.
Speed limit studies taken three years before through three years after a 55-to-70 mph change in the area speed limit showed no change in crashes per year at the intersection.

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Fire at Northeast Middle School being called an arson, reward being offered

Midland Police are now calling a Wednesday morning fire at Northeast Middle School, 1305 E. Sugnet in Midland, a case of arson.
The Midland Daily News is reporting that the Midland Police are saying a suspect broke a window and entered into a classroom where the fire was started.
A poster from the Michigan Arson Prevention Committee is offering a reward of up to $5,000 to anyone with information leading up to the arrest or conviction.
The fire started about 6 a.m. Wednesday morning and was contained by firefighters about one hour after the flames first started.
One classroom was damaged by the flames, however several other rooms, lockers and hallways were damaged by smoke.


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Storm damage reported in Midland County

via Midland Daily News

A strong thunderstorm that traveled through northwest Midland County Monday night uprooted trees and knocked out power in the area.
The storm damage was located between Coleman and North Bradley north of Saginaw Road. The storm hit about 7 p.m. and brought strong winds and large hail.

Witnesses said they did not see a tornado, but did hear winds that sounded like a jet engine as the storm hit.
Two barns were blown over by the high winds.
Consumers Energy workers and local law enforcement officers were in the area, but it is not known how many homes lost power.
There were no reports of trees falling on homes or other property, but a number of trees were uprooted by the high winds.

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City names parks with non-compliant equipment

via Midland Daily News

The neighborhood parks in Midland with non-compliant playground equipment have been identified and the city will seek public input on recommendations to fix the problems.

Karen Murphy, director of public services, said 16 parks have non-compliant equipment based on the national guidelines and 16 have compliant equipment but need additional fall protection zones.

The compliance issues vary from old slides that don't meet ladder and platform requirements to possible lead paint and damaged supports.

A public hearing is planned for the commission's next meeting to gather input from residents on the recommendations. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. May 1 at Midland City Hall, 333 W. Ellsworth St. (There is no April meeting because of spring break at Midland Public Schools).

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Sen. Moolenaar announces office hours in Midland, Gladwin

Sen. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, this month will conduct office hours in Midland and Gladwin. Office hours are open to residents who want to express their opinions or concerns about state government, or to request assistance with a state issue. Midland office hours will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. March 26, in conference room B of the Grace A Dow Memorial Library, 1710 W. St. Andrews in Midland. Gladwin office hours are set for 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. March 19, in the Commissioners' Chamber in the Gladwin County Building, 401 W. Cedar.

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